NewsOK: Oklahoma City News, Sports, Weather & Entertainment

Oklahoma Capitol restoration ramps up - Photo Gallery

View showing work being done on the fourth floor rotunda of the Capitol on Tuesday, July 24, 2019. Thompson is manager for the State Capitol Project. Hundreds of workers wearing hard hats and yellow or green vests are spread throughout every floor and even the roof of the state Capitol this summer as work continues to ramp up as the Capitol restoration project continues. Funding was authorized by the Oklahoma legislature in 2014, and construction began in 2015. Completion is expected to be in 2022. [Jim Beckel/The Oklahoman]

James Mitchell, from Kentucky, uses a small brush to paint detailed areas atop a column near the ceiling of the Supreme Court chamber on Tuesday, July 24, 2019. Hundreds of workers wearing hard hats and yellow or green vests are spread throughout every floor and even the roof of the state Capitol this summer as work continues to ramp up as the Capitol restoration project continues. Funding was authorized by the Oklahoma legislature in 2014, and construction began in 2015. Completion is expected to be in 2022. [Jim Beckel/The Oklahoman]

A painter stands beneath scaffolding as he paints walls in the Supreme Court chamber on Tuesday, July 24, 2019. He works with a light attached to his helmet and with the light provided by worklights strung in his work space. Hundreds of workers wearing hard hats and yellow or green vests are spread throughout every floor and even the roof of the state Capitol this summer as work continues to ramp up as Capitol restoration project continues. Funding was authorized by the Oklahoma legislature in 2014, and construction began in 2015. Completion is expected to be in 2022. [Jim Beckel/The Oklahoman]

Trait Thompson discusses the history of the state Capitol, using historic photos in his office to aid in making his points on Tuesday, July 24, 2019. Thompson is manager for the State Capitol Project. Hundreds of workers wearing hard hats and yellow or green vests are spread throughout every floor and even the roof of the state Capitol this summer as work continues to ramp up as the Capitol restoration project continues. Funding was authorized by the Oklahoma legislature in 2014, and construction began in 2015. Completion is expected to be in 2022. [Jim Beckel/The Oklahoman]

Trait Thompson explains renderings showing the new visitor entry and plaza being built on the southeast side of the building on Tuesday, July 24, 2019. Thompson is manager for the State Capitol Project. Hundreds of workers wearing hard hats and yellow or green vests are spread throughout every floor and even the roof of the state Capitol this summer as work continues to ramp up as the Capitol restoration project continues. Funding was authorized by the Oklahoma legislature in 2014, and construction began in 2015. Completion is expected to be in 2022. [Jim Beckel/The Oklahoman]

This will be the new visitor entry to the state Capitol. Work is shown on Tuesday, July 24, 2019. Hundreds of workers wearing hard hats and yellow or green vests are spread throughout every floor and even the roof of the state Capitol this summer as work continues to ramp up as the Capitol restoration project continues. Funding was authorized by the Oklahoma legislature in 2014, and construction began in 2015. Completion is expected to be in 2022. [Jim Beckel/The Oklahoman]

The Capitol visitor center opened recently on the ground floor of the building after renovation was completed in this section of the Capitol. New flooring and ceilings, additional lighting and walls can be seen in this photo taken July 24, 2019. Hundreds of workers wearing hard hats and yellow or green vests are spread throughout every floor and even the roof of the state Capitol this summer as work continues to ramp up as Capitol restoration project continues. Funding was authorized by the Oklahoma legislature in 2014, and construction began in 2015. Completion is expected to be in 2022. [Jim Beckel/The Oklahoman]

The south side, considered the front entrance to the Oklahoma State Capitol building, is shown on July 24, 2019. Hundreds of workers wearing hard hats and yellow or green vests are spread throughout every floor and even the roof of the state Capitol this summer as work continues to ramp up as the Capitol restoration project continues. Funding was authorized by the Oklahoma legislature in 2014, and construction began in 2015. Completion is expected to be in 2022. [Jim Beckel/The Oklahoman]

A man carries a large piece of plywood across the roof of the Capitol on Tuesday, July 24, 2019. Thompson is manager for the State Capitol Project. Hundreds of workers wearing hard hats and yellow or green vests are spread throughout every floor and even the roof of the state Capitol this summer as work continues to ramp up as the Capitol restoration project continues. Funding was authorized by the Oklahoma legislature in 2014, and construction began in 2015. Completion is expected to be in 2022. [Jim Beckel/The Oklahoman]

Workers erect studs for interior walls that will become offices for members of the House of Representatives. Work is shown on Tuesday, July 24, 2019. Thompson is manager for the State Capitol Project. Hundreds of workers wearing hard hats and yellow or green vests are spread throughout every floor and even the roof of the state Capitol this summer as work continues to ramp up as the Capitol restoration project continues. Funding was authorized by the Oklahoma legislature in 2014, and construction began in 2015. Completion is expected to be in 2022. [Jim Beckel/The Oklahoman]

The new color scheme is on display, at right, with the old color palette shown at left. Hundreds of workers wearing hard hats and yellow or green vests are spread throughout every floor and even the roof of the state Capitol this summer as work continues to ramp up as Capitol restoration project continues. Funding was authorized by the Oklahoma legislature in 2014, and construction began in 2015. Completion is expected to be in 2022. [Jim Beckel/The Oklahoman]

Artwork removed from the Capitol for the duration of the restoration project is crated and stored in an environmentally controlled room of a warehouse off site. This collage of photos of state representative in the early days of statehood hung on the fourth floor hallways of the House of Representatives. Hundreds of workers wearing hard hats and yellow or green vests are spread throughout every floor and even the roof of the state Capitol this summer as work continues to ramp up as Capitol restoration project continues. Funding was authorized by the Oklahoma legislature in 2014, and construction began in 2015. Completion is expected to be in 2022. [Jim Beckel/The Oklahoman]

Artwork removed from the Capitol for the duration of the restoration project is crated and stored in an environmentally controlled room of a warehouse off site. Trait Thompson is shown in the foreground on July 24, 2019. Other men are with the State Arts Council, to whom much of the art is entrusted. Hundreds of workers wearing hard hats and yellow or green vests are spread throughout every floor and even the roof of the state Capitol this summer as work continues to ramp up as Capitol restoration project continues. Funding was authorized by the Oklahoma legislature in 2014, and construction began in 2015. Completion is expected to be in 2022. [Jim Beckel/The Oklahoman]

Work is being done on the roof of the Capitol. This view, taken from the north side of the building, offers a view of N. 23 Street to the west. Hundreds of workers wearing hard hats and yellow or green vests are spread throughout every floor and even the roof of the state Capitol this summer as work continues to ramp up as Capitol restoration project continues. Funding was authorized by the Oklahoma legislature in 2014, and construction began in 2015. Completion is expected to be in 2022. [Jim Beckel/The Oklahoman]

View showing work being done on the fourth floor rotunda of the Capitol on Tuesday, July 24, 2019. In background, a family being given a conducted tour of the building can be seen on a fifth floor balcony overlooking the rotunda. Thompson is manager for the State Capitol Project. Hundreds of workers wearing hard hats and yellow or green vests are spread throughout every floor and even the roof of the state Capitol this summer as work continues to ramp up as the Capitol restoration project continues. Funding was authorized by the Oklahoma legislature in 2014, and construction began in 2015. Completion is expected to be in 2022. [Jim Beckel/The Oklahoman]

All of the previously existing walls have been removed and workers will erect new walls that will become offices for the Speaker of the House and other members of the House. Hundreds of workers wearing hard hats and yellow or green vests are spread throughout every floor and even the roof of the state Capitol this summer as work continues to ramp up as Capitol restoration project continues. Funding was authorized by the Oklahoma legislature in 2014, and construction began in 2015. Completion is expected to be in 2022. [Jim Beckel/The Oklahoman]

James Mitchell, from Kentucky, uses a small brush to paint detailed areas atop a column near the ceiling of the Supreme Court chamber on Tuesday, July 24, 2019. Hundreds of workers wearing hard hats and yellow or green vests are spread throughout every floor and even the roof of the state Capitol this summer as work continues to ramp up as the Capitol restoration project continues. Funding was authorized by the Oklahoma legislature in 2014, and construction began in 2015. Completion is expected to be in 2022. [Jim Beckel/The Oklahoman]